Vehicle operation inhibitor control system

ABSTRACT

A manually operable switch mechanism for enabling a control device which normally inhibits operation of the vehicle includes inner and outer rotatably supported concentrically mounted plate members provided with slots adapted to receive the vehicle ignition key. The inner and outer members are coupled so that rotation of the inner member in one direction produces rotation of the outer member in the opposite direction to reorient the positions of the slots in the two members. Circuitry is provided for energizing the control means and permitting operation of the vehicle in response to insertion of the ignition key in the slot in a predetermined sequence and within a predetermined time duration.

United States Patent [191 Agarwal et a].

[451 May 22,1973

[54] VEHICLE OPERATION INHIBITOR CONTROL SYSTEM [21] Appl. No.: 202,144

[52] US. Cl. ..3l7/l34, 180/99, 200/42, 200/44, 307/ 10 R [51 Int. Cl...E05b 49/00 [58] Field of Search ..200/42, 43, 44, 45; 307/10 R, 10 AT,10 BP; 180/99; 317/134 [56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS3,641,396 2/1972 Kossen et a1. ..317/134 3,610,943 10/1971 Jones..307/l0 AT Primary Examiner-J. D. Miller Assistant Examiner-Harry E.Moose, Jr.

Attorney- Eugene W. Christen, Creighton R.

Meland and Albert P. Duke [5 7] ABSTRACT A manually operable switchmechanism for enabling a control device which normally inhibitsoperation of the vehicle includes inner and outer rotatably supportedconcentrically mounted plate members provided with slots adapted toreceive the vehicle ignition key. The inner and outer members arecoupled so that rotation of the inner member in one direction producesrotation of the outer member in the opposite direction to reorient thepositions of the slots in the two members. Circuitry is provided forenergizing the control means and permitting operation of the vehicle inresponse to insertion of the ignition key in the slot in a predeterminedsequence and within a predetermined time duration.

5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures Patented May 22, 1973 2 Sheets-Sheet 1ATTORNEY Patented May 22, 1973 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS fizz/JIIIII'IIIII llllllnlll lil' I I I I l I I L VEHICLE OPERATION INHIBITOREONTROL SYSTEM This invention relates to a vehicle operation inhibitorcontrol system and more particularly to a system which inhibits vehicleoperation until the operator has successfully performed a test designedto determine whether his ability to safely operate the vehicle has beenimpaired.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an inexpensivephysiological testing device which requires the vehicle operator todisplay the mental and physical capabilities necessary to safely operatethe vehicle before the vehicle can be started.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an inexpensivephysiological testing device which includes a switch mechanism, foroperating electrical control circuitry, which mechanism is actuable byinsertion of the vehicle ignition key in a plurality of slots and whichis adapted to reorient the position of the slots so as to provide a newtest procedure each time the vehicle is to be started.

These and other objects of the present invention are obtained byapparatus whichincludes a switch mechanism provided with a pair ofrotatably mounted concentric plates provided with slots for receipt ofan ignition key. A contact assembly located adjacent the slots isactuable by insertion of the key in the slots provided and actuatescontrol circuitry which permits energization of the starter solenoid ofthe vehicle if the ignition key is inserted in the slots in apredetermined sequence and during a predetermined time interval. One ofthe plates is provided with an additional slot for insertion of theignition key to rotate the plates to reorient the slots.

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had fromthe following detailed description taken in conjunction with thedrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view of the switch mechanism of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view taken along lines 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the control system of the presentinvention.

Referring now to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1-3 the apparatusof the present invention comprises a manually operable switch mechanismgenerally designated which includes a housing 12 of substantiallycylindrical shape and having a longitudinal axis 14. The housing 12 isclosed at one end by a cover 16 and is provided with a centrally locatedsupport member 18 spaced from the cover 16 by a spacer 19. The mechanism10 is closed at e end opposite the cover 16 by inner and outerconcentric plate members 20 and 22 respectively. The inner member 20 isprovided with an inwardly directed shaft 24 which carries a spur gear26. The shaft 24 receives a switch actuating shaft 28 which is keyedthereto and rotatable therewith and which extends through the supportplate 18 for actuating a rotary switch generally designated 30 mountedto the support plate 18. The spur gear 26 engages an idler gear 32 whichis rotatably supported by an idler gear shaft 34 which in turn issupported by the support plate 18. The idler gear 32 is in drivingengagement with a gear 36 secured to the outer plate 22. The gears 26,32 and 36 produce counterclockwise rotation of the outer plate 22 inresponse to clockwise rotation of the inner plate 20. Momentary contactswitch means generally designated 38 include a grounding switch plate 40which is journalled on the shaft 24 and spaced from the support plate 18by three spacers 42 (only one is shown in the drawing). The switch plate40 provides an electrical ground and is adapted to be engaged by aplurality of concentric contact rings 44, 46, 48, and 50 which arenormally biased away from the plate 40 by spring means which take theform of concentric foam rubber rings 52, 54, 56, and 58. The foam rubberrings 52 through 58 are mounted in concentric slots formed in the plate40 and support the contact rings 44 through 50.

The inner plate 20 is provided with a centrally located slot 60 which isadapted to receive a vehicle ignition key for rotating the inner plate20. The output plate 22 is provided with additional slots 62 and 64located at different distances from the axis 14 and along differentradii extending from the axis 14. The inner member 20 is similarlyprovided with slots 66 and 68 at different distances from the axis 14and along different radii extending from the axis 14. The concentriccontact rings 44 through 50 are located adjacent the slots 62 through 68respectively. Each of the contact rings 44 through 50 has an electricallead (not shown) connected therewith which is grounded in response tocontact between the rings 44 through 50 and the disc 40.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the rotary switch 30 includes a movable contact70 driven from the shaft 28. The switch 30 is schematically shown toinclude a plurality of overridable stop or detent positions 72a through72f located approximately 60 apart. Intermediate the detent positionsare stationary contacts 74a through 74fwhich are engaged by the movablecontact 70 during movement thereof between the detent position 72athrough 72f. Each of the contacts 740 through 74f are grounded as shown.

A relay generally designated 76 comprises a relay coil 78 connectedbetween a battery 80 and the switch 30 through a diode 82 so as to bemomentarily energized upon movement of the contact 70 between the detentpositions. The relay coil 78 operates armatures 84 and 86 from theposition shown to a position engaging stationary contacts 88 and 90.Engagement with the contact 90 supplies battery voltage to the remaininglogic circuitry in the system. Engagement with the contact 88 provides ahold-in or latching circuit for the relay coil 78 as will be explainedhereinafter.

A short interval timer which is preferably designed to time out atapproximately 2 seconds is generally designated 92 and includes a timingcapacitor 94, a constant current source generally designated 96, and aswitching transistor which provides a discharge path for the capacitor94. The current source 96 is also connected with a threshold networkgenerally designated 102 which includes a zener diode I04 and a currentamplifier 106. When capacitor 94 is charged sufficiently to break downthe zener diode 104 base drive current from the source 96 is applied tothe amplifier 106. The amplifier 106 controls the application of 8+ tothe set input of a set-reset flip-flop generally designated 108. Thereset input of the flip-flop 108 is connected with the switch 30. Theoutput of the set-reset flip-flop 108 is connected to ground through acapacitor 110.

A relatively long interval timer which is preferably designed to timeout at approximately 30 seconds is generally designated 112 and issimilar to the timer 94. The timer 112 includes a timing capacitor 114.A constant current source generally designated 116 provides chargingcurrent to the capacitor 114 and a reset circuit generally designated118 which includes a switching transistor 120 provides a discharge pathfor the capacitor 114. The current source 116 is also connected with athreshold network generally designated 124 including a zener diode 126and a current amplifier 128. When the capacitorl 14 is chargedsufficiently to break down the zener diode 126 base drive current issupplied to the amplifier 128. The amplifier 128 controls theapplication of B+ to a latching network for the relay 76 which isgenerally designated 130. The latching network 130 comprises a zenerdiode 132, a diode pair consisting of diodes 134 and 136, a capacitor138, a resistor 139 and a current amplifier 140. The current amplifier140 is connected with the stationary contact 88 of the relay 76 and whenrendered conductive provides a ground path for the relay 76 through thecontact 88.

A lamp 142 appropriately located within the switch mechanism forilluminating the inner and outer plates 20 and 22 is connected acrossthe battery 80 through a lamp control network generally designated 143.The network 143 includes a switching transistor 144 having its baseconnected to the battery 80 through a zener diode 146 and a resistor148. Similarly, a ready lamp 150 suitably mounted in the dash of thevehicle is connected across the battery 80 through a lamp controlnetwork generally designated 151. The network 151 includes a switchingtransistor 152 having its base connected to the battery 80 through azener diode 154 and a resistor 156.

The reset networks 98 and 118 are connected through diodes 158 and 160respectively and an inverter 162 to the rotary switch 30 so that thetiming capacitors 94 and 114 are discharged through the transistors 100and 120 respectively by the momentary engagement of the contact 70 withany of the contacts 72a through 72f. The reset network 118 is alsoconnected to be energized from the ignition switch 163 of the vehiclethrough a zener diode 164, an inverter 168, a monostable multivibrator170 and a diode 172 for the purpose of permitting restarting of thevehicle as will be explained more fully hereinafter. A pull downresistor 166 maintains a low input to the inverter 168 when the ignitionswitch 163 is open. The control circuit 143 for the lamp 142 is alsoconnected to the amplifier 128 through a diode 174 and to the output ofthe inverter 168 through a diode 176. The control circuit 151 for thelamp 150 is connected to the output of an inverter 178 through a diode180 and to the output of the inverter 168 through a diode 182.

The switches 44 through 50 are connected through inverters 184, 186, 188and 190 respectively to one input of AND gates 192, 194, 196 and 198respectively. The output of the gates 192, 194 and 196 are ORed togetherand connected to ground through a capacitor 200 and to a switchingtransistor 202 through a zener diode 204. The capacitor 200 providesnoise immunity for the gates 192, 194 and 196. Transistor 202 invertsthe logic signal output of the gates 192, 194 and 196 and applies it toan inverter 206 having its output connected with a monostablemultivibrator 208. The high going output of the multivibrator 208 isapplied through a diode 210 to the reset network 98 of the shortinterval timer 92 while the low going pulse output is applied to theclock input C of a two stage egister 212 comprising JK flip-flops 214and 216. The R, inputs of the register 212 are con nected with theoutput of the flip-flop 108. The Q and Q output of each stage of theregister 212, designated A, B and A, B are connected with the AND gates192 through 198 as shown.

The output of the gate 198 is connected to ground through a capacitor218 and to a relay control amplifier 220 through zener diode 222. Thecapacitor 218 provides noise immunity for the gate 198. The amplifier220 when rendered conductive energizes a relay generally designated 224which comprises a relay coil 226 which operates armatures 228 and 230.The armature 228 when actuated engages a stationary contact 232connected with the latching circuit 130 while the armature 230 whenactuated engages a stationary contact 234 thereby connecting the startersolenoid 236 of the vehicle across the battery through the ignitionswitch 163. The output of the amplifier 220 is also connected as theinput to the inverter 178.

With reference to FIGS. 1 through 4, the operation of the system is asfollows:

To start the vehicle the operator inserts the ignition key in the slot60 of the inner plate member 20 and rotates the plate 20 through 60 fromthe present detent position of the switch 30 to the next detent positionof the switch 30. Such rotation momentarily energizes relay coil 78applying battery voltage to the remainder of the circuitry shown in FIG.4. When 8+ is applied the set input to the flip-flop 108 goes highproducing a high outpu t. The capacitor 110, however, momentarily holdsthe R,,, inputs to the register 212 low which insures that the A and T3outputs of the register 212 are high. Simultaneously, with theapplication of 13+ to the timers 92 and 112, a high is applied to thereset networks 98 and 118, through inverter 162, thereby shorting thetiming capacitors 94 and 114 and preventing any current flow from thecurrent sources 96 and 116 to the amplifiers 106 and 128. Accordingly,B+ is applied to the latching circuit rendering the amplifier conductiveand providing a ground for the relay coil 78 through the contact 88.Since the ignition switch 163 is open at this time the pull downresistor 166 maintains a low input to the inverter 168 and consequentlya high output from the inverter 168. The diodes 174 and 176 are thusback-biased and the zener diode 146 in the lamp control circuit 143conducts to supply base drive to the transistor 144 which energize thelamp 142 and illuminates the inner and outer plates 20 and 22 of theswitch mechanism 10.

Illumination of the inner'and outer plates 20 and 22 informs the vehicleoperator that the physiological test is to commence which involvesremoving the ignition key from the slot 60 in the inner plate 20 andsequentially inserting the ignition key in the slots 62 through 68 inthat order. It will be noted that the rotation of the inner plate 20 hasreoriented the slots 62 through 68 relative to each other and hasreoriented the angle at which the ignition key must be inserted.

This reorientation insures that the driver will be required to exhibitvisual and manual dexterity each time the vehicle is to be operated.With the many different orientations of the outer plate 22 resultingfrom the 60 detent positions of the inner plate 20, it is unlikely thatthe driver will become accustomed by use to the pattern of the slots 60through 68. As previously indicated, the A and B outputs of the register212 are both high and consequently, if the ignition switch is insertedin the slot 62 the switch 44 will place a low at the input to theinverter 184 and consequently, a high to the input of the AND gate 192.The output of the gate 192 thus switches to a high rendering thetransistor 202 conductive and placing a high at the output of theinverter 206. The multivibrator 208 responds by triggering the resetcircuit 98 discharging the capacitor 94 and also by clocking theregister 212 which shifts to its next state, i.e., A and 8 high. With Aand 8 both high insertion of the ignition switch in the slot 64 willcause a high output from the gate 194 which causes the multivibrator 208to reset the timer 92 and clock the register 212 to its next statewherein A and B are high. A similar sequence of events occur if theoperator now inserts the ignition key in the slot 66 closing the switch48 and shifting the register 212 to a state leaving A and B both high.Insertion of the ignition switch in the final slot 68 switches theoutput of the gate 198 to a high rendering the amplifier 220 conductiveand energizing the relay coil 226. The resultant closure of the contact232 supplies a hold-in circuit through the amplifier 140 for the relay226. Closure of the contact 234 places the starter solenoid 236 of thevehicle in circuit with the ignition switch 163. When the amplifier 220conducts placing a low at the input of the inverter 178 the resultanthigh output of the inverter 178 back-biases the diode 180 which causesbreakdown of the zener diode 154 permitting base drive to the transistor152 which energizes the lamp 150 indicating to the driver that the testhas been passed and that closure of the ignition switch 163 willenergize the starter solenoid 236.

When the ignition switch 163 is closed base drive is applied to theamplifier 140 through the diode 136 maintaining the relay coils 78 and226 in their energized state. The input to the inverter 168 is high sothat the output of the inverter 168 is low which grounds the base driveto transistors 114 and 152 through the diodes 176 and 182 respectively,deenergizing the lamps 142 and 150 respectively. When the ignitionswitch is subsequently open the input to the inverter 168 goes low, as aresult of the pulldown resistor 166, and the output of the inverter 168goes high triggering the multivibrator 170. The multivibrator 170applies a pulse to the reset network 118 through the diode 172 renderingthe transistor 120 conductive which shorts the timing capacitor 1 14 toground thus resetting the thirty second timer 112. During the short timeinterval that the timer 112 is being reset the charge stored on thecapacitor 138 supplies enough base drive through the resistor 139 tokeep the amplifier 140 conductive and the relays 78 and 226 energized.After the timer 112 is reset base drive is supplied to the amplifier 140through the zener diode 132 and the diode 134. Thus during the 30 secondinterval corresponding to the charging of the capacitor 1 14 the vehiclecan be re-started without performing the above-described test.

If too much time is taken in actuating any one of the switches 44through 50, such time being determined by the timer 92, the capacitor 94will charge sufficiently to break down the zener diode 104 therebyrendering the amplifier 106 conductive. When the amplifier 106 conductsa low input is applied to the flip-flop 108 producing a low output atthe flip-flop 108 which is applied to the TL, inputs of the register212, disabling the clock inputs 6, thus requiring that the test bereinitiated by rotating the inner plate 20. Also, unless the ignitionswitch 163 is closed within thirty seconds after initiation of the testthe timer 112 will energize the threshold circuit 124 thus rendering theamplifier nonconductive and deenergizing the relay 78 and 220, therebyopen circuiting the starter solenoid 236 and removing B+ from thecircuit.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for preventing operation of a motor vehicle by anincapacitated person comprising control means for either inhibiting orpermitting operation of the vehicle, at least first and second rotatablemembers, means rotatably supporting said members and including gearmeans coupling said members one to the other to produce rotation of onemember in response to rotation of the other member, each of said membersbeing provided with at least one opening therein for receiving anappropriate switch actuating device, means for rotating one of saidmembers to reorient the relative positions of said openings in saidmembers, first switch means actuable in response to rotation of said oneof said members, second switch means associated with each opening insaid first and second members and actuable in response to insertion ofsaid actuating device, logic means energizable in response to actuationof said first switch means and responsive to actuation of said secondswitch means in a predetermined sequence and within a predetermined timeinterval for conditioning said control means to permit operation of saidvehicle.

2. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said first switch meansincludes detent means providing a plurality of releasable stop positionsand contact means momentarily engagable in response to movement of saidone of said members between said stop positions.

3. A motor vehicle operation inhibitor comprising control means forinhibiting or permitting operation of said vehicle, at least first andsecond rotatable members, means rotatably supporting said members andincluding gear means coupling said members one to the other to producerotation of one member in response to rotation of the other member,means for rotating one of said members, each of said members beingprovided with at least one opening therein for receiving an appropriateswitch actuating device, switch means actuable in response to insertionof said actuating device, momentary contact means actuable in responseto rotation of said one of said members, logic means responsive toactuation of said switch means in a predetermined sequence and within apredetermined time interval for conditioning said control means topermit operation of said vehicle.

4. A motor vehicle operation inhibitor comprising control means fornormally inhibiting operation of said vehicle but energizable to permitoperation of said vehicle, a member provided with a plurality ofopenings therein for receiving a switch actuating device, meansrotatably supporting said member, means for rotating said member to anyof a plurality of detented positions to thereby reorient the openings insaid member, first switch means actuable during rotation of said memberbetween said detented positions, second switch means actuable inresponse to insertion of said actuating device into any one of saidplurality of openings in said member, logic means energizable inresponse to actuation of said first switch means and responsive tosequential actuation of said second switch means in a predeterminedsequence and within a predetermined time interval for energizing saidcontrol means.

5. A motor vehicle operation inhibitor comprising control means normallyinhibiting operation of said vehicle but energizable to permit operationof said vehicle, a manually operable switch mechanism including ahousing of substantially cylindrical shape having an axis, inner andouter rotatably supported concentrically mounted plate members forming aclosure for one end of said housing, gear means coupling said inner andouter plate members to produce counterclockwise rotation of said outermember in response to clockwise rotation of said inner member, saidinner member being provided with a centrally located flap, said innerand outer members being provided with additional slots located atdifferent distances from and along different radii extending from saidcentrally located slot, a stationary switch plate means mounted withinsaid housing, a plurality of movable concentric contact rings positionedadjacent respective ones of said additional slots and adapted tocomplete an electrical path with said stationary switch plate means inresponse to insertion of a suitable switch actuating means in saidadditional slots, rotary switch means including a plurality of detentedopen circuited positions and intermediate circuit closing positions andactuable by said inner member to momentarily close a circuit duringrotation of said inner member between said detented positions, logicmeans responsive to momentary closure of said circuit and to actuationof said plurality of movable contact means in a predetermined sequenceand within a predetermined time duration thereafter to energize saidcontrol means.

1. Apparatus for preventing operation of a motor vehicle by anincapacitated person comprising control means for either inhibiting orpermitting operation of the vehicle, at least first and second rotatablemembers, means rotatably supporting said members and including gearmeans coupling said members one to the other to produce rotation of onemember in response to rotation of the other member, each of said membersbeing provided with at least one opening therein for receiving anappropriate switch actuating device, means fOr rotating one of saidmembers to reorient the relative positions of said openings in saidmembers, first switch means actuable in response to rotation of said oneof said members, second switch means associated with each opening insaid first and second members and actuable in response to insertion ofsaid actuating device, logic means energizable in response to actuationof said first switch means and responsive to actuation of said secondswitch means in a predetermined sequence and within a predetermined timeinterval for conditioning said control means to permit operation of saidvehicle.
 2. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said first switchmeans includes detent means providing a plurality of releasable stoppositions and contact means momentarily engagable in response tomovement of said one of said members between said stop positions.
 3. Amotor vehicle operation inhibitor comprising control means forinhibiting or permitting operation of said vehicle, at least first andsecond rotatable members, means rotatably supporting said members andincluding gear means coupling said members one to the other to producerotation of one member in response to rotation of the other member,means for rotating one of said members, each of said members beingprovided with at least one opening therein for receiving an appropriateswitch actuating device, switch means actuable in response to insertionof said actuating device, momentary contact means actuable in responseto rotation of said one of said members, logic means responsive toactuation of said switch means in a predetermined sequence and within apredetermined time interval for conditioning said control means topermit operation of said vehicle.
 4. A motor vehicle operation inhibitorcomprising control means for normally inhibiting operation of saidvehicle but energizable to permit operation of said vehicle, a memberprovided with a plurality of openings therein for receiving a switchactuating device, means rotatably supporting said member, means forrotating said member to any of a plurality of detented positions tothereby reorient the openings in said member, first switch meansactuable during rotation of said member between said detented positions,second switch means actuable in response to insertion of said actuatingdevice into any one of said plurality of openings in said member, logicmeans energizable in response to actuation of said first switch meansand responsive to sequential actuation of said second switch means in apredetermined sequence and within a predetermined time interval forenergizing said control means.
 5. A motor vehicle operation inhibitorcomprising control means normally inhibiting operation of said vehiclebut energizable to permit operation of said vehicle, a manually operableswitch mechanism including a housing of substantially cylindrical shapehaving an axis, inner and outer rotatably supported concentricallymounted plate members forming a closure for one end of said housing,gear means coupling said inner and outer plate members to producecounterclockwise rotation of said outer member in response to clockwiserotation of said inner member, said inner member being provided with acentrally located flap, said inner and outer members being provided withadditional slots located at different distances from and along differentradii extending from said centrally located slot, a stationary switchplate means mounted within said housing, a plurality of movableconcentric contact rings positioned adjacent respective ones of saidadditional slots and adapted to complete an electrical path with saidstationary switch plate means in response to insertion of a suitableswitch actuating means in said additional slots, rotary switch meansincluding a plurality of detented open circuited positions andintermediate circuit closing positions and actuable by said inner memberto momentarily close a circuit during rotation of said inner memberbetween said detented positions, logic means responsive to momentaryclosure of said circuit and to actuation of said plurality of movablecontact means in a predetermined sequence and within a predeterminedtime duration thereafter to energize said control means.